The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-16
Powderly's Talk at LYNN.

General Master Workman Powderly, in
his address at Lynn, Mass, on Sunday after
noon, said several things to the assembled
Knights of Labor that have excited con-
siderable comment He condemned the
lockout and the boycott, and warned work
ingmen against strong drink He con-
demned anarchy, and insisted that sectarian
and religious prejudices should have no in
duence upon the conduct of the organization
of the Knights of Labor.
Mr.. Powderly's speeches generally attract
good deal of attention. If the organiza-
ton OF which he is the head always acted in
accordance with the ideas which he ex-
presses on the platform it would not often be
adversely criticised The truth, however,
appears to be that he cannot direct it as he
would like to. He sees in most cases the
course it ought to take for its own good, but
he lacks the influence and power to
make it take that course. He understands
plainly that the strike and the boycott do
the Knights more harm than good, but
he has not been able to prevent either In
most of the strikes that have been declared
the Knights have been defeated and of the
boycotts which have been declared not
per cent. of them have been based on justice
or reason, A desire for retaliation or the
determination to accomplish a certain thing
that could not be accomplished by lawful
means, has ~been the cause of most of
them. Eventually strikes and boycotts,
If they are continued, will be the destruc-
ton of the organization. These two weap-
hn nfra
used only after arbitration had been re-
sorted to and failed, but to use them upon
very slight provocation brings them into
disrepute, and dcprives the Knights of the
support of public sentiment
A lockout without cause is, of course, I'M
fair, and ought not to receive any support
from the public. A proprietor has the right
to close his mill or factory, but he ought
not to close it until after he has given his
employees fair notice so that they may Sc
cure places elsewhere without loss of time
But the Knights of Labor have not taken
the notice of the drink evil that they ought
to. They waste their time and vex them
selves with minor matters, while they pass
over in comparative silence the greatest
thing with which they have to contend, and
which brings them more misery than any
thing else. If it were not for strong drink
the workingmen of this country could live
in comfort and enjoy many of the luxuries
of life. IL is estimated that they spend
between S4OO,OOO,OOO and $500, 100000 an
nually for whisky and beer If this
enormous sum were applied to the
purchase of homes, or invested. the work
ingmen would never have occasion to be
uneasy respecting the future 1t must be
said to Mr.. Powderly's credit that he has
always advocated temperance, but his
words have not been needed Nothing could
happen TO the Knights that would tend
more to their material benefit than a vigor-
Gus temperance revival within their organ
ization. 1t will take a stronger man than
Mr.. Powderly, however, to inaugurate and
carry forward successfully such a revival
In fact his announcement that he will not
accept a reelection to his present position is
pretty good evidence that the organization
is beyond his control